Senior Physiotherapist – Community Respiratory

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust; Nacton; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Senior Physiotherapist to join the Community Respiratory team. You will support patients with COPD, home oxygen and pulmonary rehabilitation, providing clinic, class and home-based care to enhance quality of life and self-management.

The role requires driving to patient sites across NE Essex, supervision of junior staff, and development of specialist therapies within the integrated care plan.

Qualifications

• Registered physiotherapist with HCPC.
• Degree level or equivalent.
• Evidence of on-going CPD.
• Post-graduate training (e.g., splinting/injections).
• COPD post-graduate module.

Responsibilities

• Act as a specialist resource for the integrated team, carrying out single assessments and contributing to the integrated care plan.
• Develop programmes of specialist therapeutic activities and delegate aspects of care as appropriate.
• Implement specialist aspects of the care plan and review the plan on behalf of the team.
• Support patients with advice and information to encourage self-management and independence.
• Supervise more junior staff, assistants, students and volunteers and deputise for senior managers.

Skills

Respiratory care

Staff supervision

Home oxygen

Pulmonary rehabilitation

Education

HCPC registered

Degree level or equivalent

CPD evidence

Postgraduate training

COPD module

Job description

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Physiotherapist – Community Respiratory

The closing date is 22 November 2026

The integrated community respiratory team provide a number of services COPD, Home oxygen, Pulmonary rehabilitation and respiratory physio. We are a team of nurses, physios and skilled assistant staff. We cover all of NE Essex so access to a car and a driving licence is essential. We provide clinic based, class based and home based care, with the aim of supporting people to have quality of life and be able to self manage their conditions. We are seeking a physiotherapist to join our service. Ideally you should have experience in treating people living with long term respiratory conditions such as COPD, bronchiectasis and Pulmonary fibrosis or be able to show transferable skills. In the role you will learn competencies to delivery pulmonary rehabilitation classes, assess and review home oxygen, support respiratory physio outpatient clinics and COPD service where we support to optimise patients management. This is an exciting role where you can develop enhanced practice skills with the support of the team.

Main duties of the job

Act as a specialist resource for the integrated team, carrying out single assessments, and contributing to the development and delivery of the integrated care plan. Develop programmes of specialist therapeutic activities, weighing options and delegating aspects of care as appropriate. Implement specialist aspects of the care plan, potentially acting as care coordinator and reviewing the plan on behalf of the integrated team. Support patients with advice, information, persuasion and direction to community resources to encourage self-management and ongoing independence. Provide support, training and advice to patients, parents and carers. Manage the performance and oversee the work of more junior staff, assistants, students and volunteers. Manage the work of the team, deputising for more senior managers as required.

About us

We are one of the largest NHS organisation in the region, employing over 12,000 staff. We deliver care from two main hospitals in Colchester & Ipswich, six community hospitals, clinics and patient's homes. Our scale provides exciting opportunities for development, innovation, research, education and training. Talk to us about our range of flexible working opportunities, apprenticeships and staff benefits. Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of all we do; and it forms part of ESNEFTs core activities. The Trust operates and relies on everyone treating each other with dignity and respect, to receive equitable and fair treatment in the implementation of Policies, procedures and in its practices and to foster positive work relationships. The EDI Agenda reflects the Trust values of Optimistic, Appreciative and Kind. In line with the NHS Long Term Plan and Staff Standards, we consistently strive to improve, to take the learning into Action for a better ESNEFT.

Job responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Registered physiotherapist with HCPC
• Professional knowledge and Skills acquired through a combination of formal training, short courses and experience to degree level or equivalent.
• Relevant post qualification training through short courses and/or further study and experience for example splinting and injections, working towards post graduate level of study.
• Evidence of on-going CPD
• Member of appropriate clinical networks
• Recognised registered qualification and further courses and experience relevant to role
• COPD post graduate module

Experience

• Proven experience with respiratory patients
• Competencies relevant to specialism
• Experience of managing the work of others
• Community experience
• Previous experience of home oxygen
• Previous experience of pulmonary rehabilitation

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust